Scripps Health Partners With Grossmont College School of Nursing

Partnership Seeks to Address Nursing Shortage

SAN DIEGO – Scripps Health has announced a workforce partnership agreement with the Grossmont College School of Nursing that includes a $958,000 enrollment growth grant to help the college expand its ability to train future nurses.

Under the agreement, Scripps Health’s grant will support the Grossmont College nursing program over the next three years with the hiring and retention of nurse faculty. In turn, Grossmont College will provide special educational opportunities for Scripps employees who are interested in entering the nursing field and have met the admission requirements.

“The health care industry is facing a critical shortage of nurses, and Grossmont College has provided a high-quality nursing program for the past 40 years,” said Vic Buzachero, corporate senior vice president for human resources for Scripps Health. “We are proud to help expand student capacity at Grossmont’s nursing program and, at the same time, help our employees develop and enrich their skills in the health care industry.”

According to Debbie Yaddow, associate dean of nursing, state budget cuts had threatened to reduce the number of students that would be admitted into the college’s nursing program. “We are grateful to Scripps for stepping up to the plate so that we can train another 30 nurses and accommodate additional qualified individuals looking to enter the field,” she said.

During the past three fiscal years, Scripps Health has allocated approximately $784,000 to Grossmont College’s School of Nursing to help cover costs associated with clinical instruction.

Grossmont College’s School of Nursing, established in 1967, recently celebrated the graduation of its 5,000th graduate. The School of Nursing is committed to student success through excellence in nursing education for all students in an environment which fosters the development of intellectual growth while enhancing competent professional nursing knowledge and human potential.

At Grossmont College, students can prepare to become registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses. Upon completion of the degree requirements, graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEXRN).

About Scripps Health

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a $2 billion nonprofit community health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats a half-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,600 affiliated physicians and 12,300 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, and an ambulatory care network of clinics, physician offices and outpatient centers.

Recognized as a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and graduate medical education. Scripps Health was named to FORTUNE magazine’s 2008 list of America’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” marking the first time a San Diego health care provider has been included on the prestigious ranking of the nation’s leading employers.